Liz Harris is still best known for Grouper, the Portland project where her voice, guitar and layers of atmosphere have created an ambient folk world that feels entirely her own. But Harris has always kept a few other doors open, including Helen, the trio she formed with bassist Scott Simmons and drummer Jed Bindeman back in 2013. Where Grouper tends to drift through quieter, more elusive spaces, Helen turn the volume up. Their debut album, The Original Faces, arrived in 2015 and has remained their only full length release ever since. For some perspective, even Grouper has been relatively quiet lately, with Harris’ most recent album under that name, Shade, dating back to 2021.
Now, eleven years after The Original Faces, Helen are finally returning with album number two. Linda’s Head is set to arrive October 2 via Kranky. Details about the story or specific inspiration behind the album are still pretty scarce, which somehow feels appropriate for a project that has never been particularly interested in overexplaining itself.
The announcement also comes with two new songs, the title track “Linda’s Head” and “Dead Shark II”. Both immediately slip back into Helen’s blurred, melodic universe, with Harris’ harmonies floating through thick reverb while the rhythm section keeps everything moving underneath. There is a softness to the songs, but also a shoegaze drive and pop instinct that hit right away, especially on the irresistible “Dead Shark II”.
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